Set in the eighteenth century this book follows the strange life of Zachary Cloudesley. He grows up in London with his clockmaker Father as well as spending time with his outrageously eccentric aunt. When his Father fails to return from a trip to Constantinople he sets off on a rescue mission.
This is a rather strange and quirky book. The characters are almost without exception unusual & eccentric. Some have strange gifts, some secrets to hide and others fears they are trying to evade. The characters are very three dimensional and stand out from the pages. A very rum bunch which I can't describe in too much detail as it would spoil the book.
The story moves along at a reasonable pace. There are a few patches of slower action where it almost stalls but not quite. I always wanted to continue with the story and it soon picked up again. I loved the descriptions and the atmosphere. The reader definitely feels that they are part of these vibrant surroundings.
This is not a book for everyone. Belief does need to be suspended and it definitely borders on the fantasy. I imagine it sits within the steampunk genre. However it is not run of the mill and I enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Very slowly paced book. Takes place in Turkey and England. Commendable characters. Well written.

Not really my cup of tea.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

A bewitching read, Zachary and his second sight and the inventions that were part of his life. There are so many personal stories going on in the book. Yet because each of these characters is so unique, it never became overpowering or confused.

Beautifully written with an interesting cast of well-drawn characters. Also, quite an adventure, but I was disappointed that more wasn't made of Zachary's second sight - after all it is the title of the book. I was expecting him to use it to save the day or something, but it just seems to be forgotten on the way. 3.5 stars.

I was attracted by the cover and title of the book. I also found the description inviting enough to want to read the book.

I enjoyed reading it till about half way through and then for some reason I got bored of it. I did read on to the end, but didn't find much enjoyment in it and I cannot tell why. Perhaps the magic of it disappeared after the initial stages of the book, I'm not sure.

The writing style was mostly engaging, especially in the first part o the book.

I don't want to put anyone off reading the book, but by the same token do not feel in a position to recommend it to anyone.

A moderately enjoyable book, with interesting settings, descriptions and a serving of magical realism, but a rather misleading title: despite Zachary's uncanny prescience as a child, his second sight fizzles out through the story, becoming a Chekhov's revolver that never goes off. Instead of proving useful as his adventures continue, the second sight that proved so invaluable in his childhood seems to degrade into vague nightmares and desert him entirely.
An interesting enough story, but disappointing that it doesn't deliver on the title.

Wonderfully written, full of love and humour, this was a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable story of a young man, son of a master clockmaker/ chess player, extraordinary in his own talents and surrounded by an equally compelling cast of characters. From the first page I was completely hooked, and read it almost in one day. The author has a lovely way with words, giving a unique character to the different narratives of the important people in Zac’s life. We believe in all of them, even if the second sight is in itself hard to imagine, we are swept along with the events leading to the romance and danger of travel to Constantinople in the eighteenth century.

This book starts in 1754 in London, where clockmaker Abel Cloudesley is about to become a father.
Little Zachary is born, and tragedy follows, as his mother dies in childbirth.
Zachary quickly shows the ability to see what others don’t, as did his mother before him, and when he is injured in an accident in the workshop, this ability grows.
The title implies that the book is just about Zachary, but there is a wonderful cast of fully drawn human characters, as well as the mechanical characters that come from Abel’s workshop.
The story spans many years, and moves from London to Hertfordshire, to Europe and Istanbul, involving exploits and adventures for all those involved.
It also explores modern themes of love and gender in a very straightforward fashion.
An entertaining and heart warming yarn with an eclectic cast who quickly endear themselves to the reader.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book.

With an original story, beautifully written, and rich in historical detail, Sean Lusk once again demonstrates that his exeptional writing ability. Set in eighteenth century England and Turkey in the time of the Ottoman Empire this lavish background features interesting and complex characters, and is full of curiosities like the period's wonderful clock making and clockwork automatons. I was fascinated by the colour and originality of the book.

To be honest, I found this book hard going, but that was maybe because I was not well when I read it. It is, as many reviewers have said, a slightly Dickensian book, with richly drawn descriptions. Zachary Cloudesly is a man with a gift and we follow his story through good and bad times.
Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to red and review this book.

I know it's early days, but this book will take some beating as my Best Book of 2022.

I was drawn to it because of the intriguing title, and the beautiful cover, although I read an e-copy, kindly provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for this review. The plot is straightforward, simple even, with only one slight twist relating to one of the character's actions. The locations are well described, not overly so, it seems to fit nicely into its time and history and it appears to be well researched.

What gives this book its magic are the characters. Every one of them - I paused to think whether I really mean every one, and I do - is brought to life sparingly and beautifully. They all have hearts and souls and at least half a dozen of them could carry their own stories in separate books. I would love to know their back stories as well as what happens to them after the end of this book.

Not surprisingly, given the heart-rending start of the book, the underlying themes are sadness and loss but it is no way a depressing read. The author writes beautifully and there are some lovely comic moments too. And the story is eventually lifted into love, hope and reconciliation. I loved the ending, but just wish I could have followed the characters further along their paths.

Quite enjoyable!

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley focuses on titular Zachary with his powers of foresight and his father Abel with his mechanical skills that allow him to craft wondrous machines and automatons. Though it centers on the familial love, it does look at love in all its forms; romantic, platonic, for oneself, for one’s career etc. Ultimately, I’m happy with how Zachary and Abel’s story ended.

The supporting cast, including the likes of Frances, Tom, Mrs Morley and her daughter Leonora and more, are delightful to read as their personalities, when together, create entertaining dialogue. Mood-wise, the scenes are well balanced, though I must say the sadder bits of the story do pack a bit of punch. Lusk’s language is gorgeous, and so is his world-building (MAN— I’m so glad this book does some globe trotting)!

To anyone who is ever interested in the origins of how a story came to be and/or have a liking towards history, READ THE HISTORICAL NOTES AT THE END; it’s fascinating.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

P.S. THE COVER!!! Augh, it’s gorgeous (and certainly inspired by Zachary, colour-wise!

Zachary is born, and his father Abel is grief stricken as although he now has a son, he lost his wife. Soon Zachary is found to be a gifted, and somewhat strange child, and after a terrible accident Abel is convinced he would be best to be brought up by his eccentric Aunt Frances.
Abel makes automatons and clocks and takes a job involving a trip to Constantinople from where he disappears.
We follow all of these events, and then more as Zachary gets older and is convinced his father is still alive and intends to travel to Constantinople to find out.

The book has been described as slightly Dickensian, and I would say that is only in the time period. There is a bit of magical realism and nowhere near enough greed, meanness and tragedy for Dickens ;)
Although I thought the concept was great and mostly enjoyed the story, it became quite slow and nowhere near as interesting for about the last 20%. I would still recommend to fans of magical realism with a bit of historical fiction thrown in.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I started reading this book I thought I wouldn’t like it, that it was too old fashioned for me..but I quickly changed my mind, getting engrossed in the quirky, complicated story.
The author never gets bogged down in unnecessary historical details, the characters are vibrant and even modern!
The part about the plague absolutely resonated with the pandemic.
All very interesting

This book is like a box of exquisite chocolates, to be savoured with reverance and to be given time.
We enter the story at the arrival of Zachary Cloudesley into the world and the simultaneous departure of his mother.
Two narrators: one telling us about Abel Cloudesley and his gifted son Zachary and the voice of Grace Morley, Zachary’s wet nurse, and her daughter Leonora. Both narrators also tell us about the very eccentric, rich aunt of Abel, Lady Peake-Barnes. The voice of Grace Morley soars high above all others - I could read volumes by her without ever being bored.
The contrast in the portrayal of the child Zachary - serene, prophesying, if odd creature - and the easily duped 15-year-old Zachary I found oddly grating. The Ottoman politics were “meh”, but then I’m no politics buff.
Altogether, it was a very intriguing plotline spanning two continents.

This is an interesting story with a bit of steampunk and a good deal of adventure and drama, which unfolds in very classic dickensian manner, which I liked. It also has ery modern, forward thinking (if you will) main characters, sometimes even a bit too modern, which can become distracting given for the fact that the story is set in mid to late 17oo's.
The book is easy to read, well paced and fairly engrossing to be finished in couple of takes!

A strangely captivating historical novel based on the 18 century Ottoman Empire. A clockmaker and his wife give birth to a boy, requiring a wet nurse upon the immediate demise of his wife. A formidable women with a baby of her own takes on the role and becomes integral to the future events affecting all the characters. The aunt of the deceased young mother, rich, eccentric and childless plays a major part in the catastrophic future for these protagonists, all acting with good intentions marred by selfish desires and needs. A book written in the style of the classics, well drawn three dimensional characters and exquisitely mapped plot lines reveal an unusual story of a bygone age, the superstitions, the unfolding science and skills and expertise revered at that time. A totally engrossing exquisite piece of history wrapped in a saga of its time. Strangely unforgettable in its unusual uniqueness. Many thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Brilliantly written novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

‘The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley’. By Sean Lusk is a wild romp of a novel with fascinating and eccentric characters. I loved the descriptions of Zachary’s travels from London across Europe.

I adored this book. As other reviewers have mentioned, it's a classic adventure story, but with such richness of detail that I read it slowly, savouring the experience. I didn't want it to end.